Amidst the ongoing culture of non-stop work and stress, which often leads to dissatisfaction and burnout among employees, a company in China has taken an innovative approach by introducing a new policy that allows employees to take leave on days when they feel unhappy.
The policy was announced by Yu Donglai, the founder and chairman of Pang Dong Lai, a major retail company in China. Under this new policy, employees who are feeling overwhelmed or unhappy can request up to 10 days of leave. This is separate from their regular annual leave, which ranges from 20 to 40 days, and their weekends off.
Yu Donglai stated that if employees are feeling unhappy, they should not come to work. He emphasized that management must approve these leave requests, and denial would be considered a violation of the policy. This shows the company’s commitment to supporting the well-being of its employees.
Explaining the reasons behind the new policy, Donglai emphasized the importance of a healthy work-life balance. He stated that the company does not aim for growth at the expense of its employees’ well-being. Instead, it wants its employees to lead healthy and relaxed lives, which will ultimately benefit the company in the long run. He highlighted the importance of freedom and compassion in the workplace.
A survey conducted in 2021 on workplace anxiety in China found that over 65% of employees reported feeling tired or unhappy at work. This policy aims to address these concerns by giving employees the freedom to take time off when they need it most.
Overall, this new policy represents a progressive shift towards a more supportive and compassionate workplace environment, prioritizing employees’ mental health and well-being. By allowing employees to take time off when they are feeling unhappy, the company hopes to create a more positive and productive work culture.
